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It took Bentley four years to get the first-generation Continental GT past the 600-hp mark. With the second-generation model, the company did the trick in just two, getting the 616-hp 2013 Continental GT Speed ready in time for the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begins on June 29. During the festival, a pre-production model will be driven twice each day by racers Juha Kankunnen, Guy Smith, and Derek Bell.

Like the previous GT Speed, this one is powered by Bentley‘s 6.0-liter W-12 that puts out 590 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent to all four wheels via a new eight-speed automatic transmission and Torsen limited-slip center differential. Bentley claims the close-ratio eight-speed ZF gearbox improves fuel economy by as much as 12 percent, while also reducing carbon emissions compared to the previous six-speed unit. More importantly, Bentley says the GT Speed can hit 60 mph in just four seconds and reach a top speed of 205 mph.

Although it will be some time before we can strap out test gear to the new Continental GT Speed, we would be surprised if it couldn’t meet Bentley’s performance claims. For comparison, a second-generation Bentley Continental GT with the 567-hp version of the 6.0-liter W-12 hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and dusted off the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 111.2 mph. More recently, we tested a 2012 Continental Flying Spur Speed. The 600-hp 5620-lb sedan — still based on the first-generation Continental GT — hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and finished the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 106.1 mph. Unlike the 2013 GT Speed, both are fitted with the outgoing six-speed automatic.

To make the most of the W-12’s increased power, the GT Speed receives a number of chassis tweaks including a lowered suspension and revised steering. The high-performance Bentley rides on 21-inch alloy wheels, available in two finishes, wrapped in 275/35R21-size Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tires.

2013 Bentley Continental GT News and Reviews

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